[stupenal]

So I also posted this in the optimum forums....here is my situation

So after doing my 3rd car, I've finally given up on OC and OP. I know I am a n00b, so I figured maybe the first two cars were simply because I didn't use good pads (used the "wolfgang light orange cutting pads" included with my udm order) or because I used too much product, or had the wrong technique.

This past weekend I tried removing the millions of swirls on my mom's beater 1999 Toyota Camry. OC could not remove a single damn swirl, even using a yellow pad and UDM on speed 6 for over 5 minutes a section. I'm thoroughly dissatisfied with the lack of results. OP does a decent job of polishing the paint to a shine, but it too does not remove many swirls. Even on my girlfriends 07 Accord (supposedly soft paint), the OP didn't do much with either a green or white LC pad. Her car had very very few swirls, and OP still couldn't get it out. I've tried using the "less is more" technique, and even that barely does anything. I'm seriously on wits end, trying to get Optimum to remove some swirls.

When I stopped by Chemical Guys the other day, Paul told me that OP and OC are pretty horrible, and are actually made for optimum by someone else (figures...just like everything else in this detailing world).

From what I've searched regarding optimum on this board, not that many people seem to use OP and OC, more so ONR and OPS. Has anyone managed to get OC or OP to work with a UDM, and NOT a rotary? I just feel like with a DA, there's no way to get the OC or OP to break down enough. I generally spend at least 5 minutes per section, proper pressure and moving the UDM slowly across the panel, and the OP and OC will look like its broken down, but the swirls remain.

So - what should I get instead? M83 and M80? I'm just looking for something that's not too expensive (like Menz), has a fast working time, and produces decent results. I don't care as much about the best shine, I just don't want to spend another 8 hours detailing my car to find out that the swirls are still there.

Thanks!